Tourist spots near Hakodate Airport | Plenty of enjoyable places even for long-distance travelers!

When people think of Hakodate in Hokkaido, many imagine its million-dollar night view. Hakodate is the economic center of southern Hokkaido. In the past, access was mainly by the Seikan Ferry, but now you can easily fly directly to Hakodate Airport. The area around Hakodate Airport is known for its stylish tourist spots, such as Mount Hakodate, where you can enjoy breathtaking night views, the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses, and the Hakodate Orthodox Church. If you venture further from Hakodate Airport, you’ll find places like Ōnuma, Mori, Yakumo, and Matsumae. However, since the area is quite vast, planning ahead is essential. Use this article as a guide to make the most of your sightseeing trip from Hakodate Airport!

What is Hakodate Airport?

https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.775704,140.815822&z=12&t=m&hl=ja&gl=JP&mapclient=embed&cid=10482774615839126032

Located on the eastern side of Hakodate City, Hakodate Airport connects to Tokyo (Haneda), Osaka (Itami), Sapporo (New Chitose/Okadama), and Okushiri. Depending on the season, flights from Nagoya are also available, along with an international route to Taipei. From Hakodate Airport, it takes approximately 20 minutes by car or 35 minutes by bus to reach JR Hakodate Station. To Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station on the Hokkaido Shinkansen, it takes about 30 minutes by car or 40 minutes by bus. While public transportation such as trains, streetcars, and buses are convenient within Hakodate City, renting a car is useful for traveling in the suburbs. Skyticket offers domestic travel packages that include flights and rental cars, so be sure to check them out.

Popular tourist spots near Hakodate Airport #1: Mount Hakodate

A symbol of Hakodate, Mount Hakodate can be accessed via a ropeway. The night view from the summit is simply breathtaking! Recognized as one of Japan's top three nightscapes, this stunning view is a must-see.

Popular tourist spots near Hakodate Airport #2: Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses

Built in 1909 during the Meiji era, the historic Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses have now been transformed into a stylish spot featuring restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. As a must-visit destination in Hakodate, it attracts many visitors from all over Japan. In winter, it hosts the Hakodate Christmas Fantasy, making it a lively spot all year round.

Popular tourist spots near Hakodate Airport #3: Hakodate Orthodox Church

The Hakodate Orthodox Church, a Russian Orthodox church, is known for its beautiful architecture and is affectionately called Gangan-dera by locals. Built in 1916, its sanctuary has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The church bells ring on Saturday evenings and Sundays, which is how it earned its nickname. These bells were even selected for the 100 Soundscapes of Japan by the Ministry of the Environment.

Hakodate has strong historical ties to Russia. The city still hosts a branch of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Sapporo, and at one point, there was even a branch of the Far Eastern Federal University from Vladivostok, as well as a flight route from Hakodate Airport to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Additionally, the Former Russian Consulate, designated as a Landscape Formation Building in Funami-cho, Hakodate, is also a notable sightseeing spot (though interior visits are not permitted).

Popular tourist spots near Hakodate Airport #4: Yunokawa Onsen

Yunokawa Onsen is one of Hokkaido’s three major hot springs, historically loved by notable figures such as Takeaki Enomoto. It is located just about five minutes by car from Hakodate Airport, earning it the title of Japan’s Closest Hot Spring Town to an Airport. This means visitors can enjoy a relaxing soak right up until their departure. Not only people but even animals enjoy this hot spring! At the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden, you can see Japanese macaques soaking in the hot springs—an adorable and heartwarming sight.

Popular tourist spots near Hakodate Airport #5: Trappistine Monastery

Located north of Hakodate Airport, the Trappistine Convent is officially known as the Abbey of Our Lady of the Angels, belonging to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. The nuns here continue to live a self-sufficient and secluded life, strictly following monastic rules, and men are not allowed inside. Because this is a place where nuns reside, visitors should behave respectfully within the convent grounds.

For a detailed report, check out the article by the Skyticket staff, who personally visited the Trappistine Convent.

Popular tourist spots near Hakodate Airport #6: Goryokaku

Built in 1866, Goryokaku is a symbol of Hakodate and one of the city’s most famous landmarks. This star-shaped fortress was constructed by the Tokugawa shogunate as a strategic defense site. While another similar fortress, Tatsuoka Castle in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture, also exists, the term "Goryokaku" usually refers to the one in Hakodate. Inside the fortress, you will find many historical sites, including the Hakodate Magistrate’s Office, which was reconstructed in 2010.

Additionally, the Goryokaku Tower, rebuilt in 2006, is a popular observation spot alongside Mount Hakodate, offering panoramic views of the city. It attracts approximately one million visitors annually.

Did you know? There’s also a Shiryokaku!

In addition to Goryokaku, Hakodate also has the remains of Shiryokaku. Built in 1869, this fortress served as a defensive outpost for Goryokaku and protected the Hokkaido Toshogu Shrine. Historically, there were also "Sankaku" (triangular) and "Shichikaku" (seven-sided) fortresses, but their original forms no longer remain.

In 1934, Shiryokaku was designated as a National Historic Site, and in 1973, it was restored to its original state. Unlike Goryokaku, it consists only of earthen walls, making it difficult to recognize unless viewed from above. Nevertheless, it remains an important historical site that reflects the turbulent times of the Meiji Restoration.

Popular tourist spots near Hakodate Airport #7: Hakodate Morning Market

When it comes to Hakodate’s specialties, the Hakodate Morning Market is a must-visit! The sight of freshly caught seafood lining the stalls truly showcases the best of Hokkaido.

One of the top recommendations here is squid. There are spots where you can try squid fishing, and the squid you catch is immediately prepared as sashimi for you to enjoy. Hakodate locals have a deep passion for squid, and it is common to see fresh squid being sold by mobile vendors early in the morning. The freshness of Hakodate’s squid is unparalleled—experience its signature firm, crunchy texture for yourself!

Take a trip from Hakodate Airport to sightsee in the Onuma, Mori, and Yakumo areas!

Now, let’s step outside Hakodate and explore some of the wider regional highlights!

Heading north from Hakodate Airport, you’ll find Ōnuma, a scenic area framed by the stunning Mount Komagatake (nicknamed "Oshima Fuji"). This nature-rich area is perfect for walking or cycling.

Ōnuma: The Birthplace of "Sen no Kaze ni Natte"

https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.985424,140.673561&z=15&t=m&hl=ja&gl=JP&mapclient=embed&cid=11283578834807869827

The song Sen no Kaze ni Natte ("A Thousand Winds"), made famous by Masashi Akikawa in 2006, was born in Ōnuma. Originally based on the anonymous English poem Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep, the lyrics were translated into Japanese and set to music by composer Man Arai in 2001.

Arai had a vacation home in Ōnuma, where he worked on translating and composing the song. He later revealed that this serene location was the inspiration for his work.

Although Arai sadly passed away in 2021, his masterpiece remains deeply ingrained in our hearts, just like the lyrics of Sen no Kaze ni Natte.

Mori Station's Famous "Ikameshi"

As the Hakodate Main Line leaves Hakodate Station, it splits into two at Ōnuma Station before rejoining at Mori Station. Mori Station is well known for its specialty: Ikameshi (squid rice). Ikameshi was created in 1941 by Abe Shoten during wartime food shortages. Since squid was plentiful, it was stuffed with rice to create a filling and nutritious dish. It quickly gained popularity among soldiers traveling northward and eventually became a local specialty of Mori Town.

Today, Ikameshi remains a popular item at train station bento (ekiben) fairs across Japan. However, with the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension to Sapporo planned for the 2030s, discussions are ongoing about the future of the Hakodate Main Line, including the area around Mori Station. As of 2022, no final decision has been made, but depending on the outcome, Mori Station’s current landscape may become a thing of the past.

Now might be the perfect time to experience the nostalgic tradition of enjoying Ikameshi while watching the scenery from a train window.

Yakumo Town: Famous for Japan’s Northernmost Checkpoint Ruins and Funka Bay Panorama Park

Yakumo Town is known for being home to Yamakoshinai Checkpoint, the northernmost checkpoint in Japan. During the Edo period, this checkpoint marked the boundary between the Wajinchi (Japanese territory) and Ezochi (Ainu territory). Today, only a commemorative stone monument remains to tell its story, but the JR Yamakoshi Station building is designed to resemble a traditional checkpoint. Inside the station, you can find a diorama that recreates the checkpoint as it once was.

Another highlight of Yakumo Town is Funka Bay Panorama Park. This park offers stunning views of the contrast between the white birch-lined paths and the deep blue waters of Funka Bay—an ideal spot to relax and enjoy nature.

◎ Summary

Hokkaido is much larger than many people expect. For example, it takes about four hours by limited express train to travel from Hakodate to Sapporo, and even by plane, the journey from Hakodate Airport to Sapporo’s Okadama Airport takes around 40 minutes. Because of this, planning your trip in advance is essential. Although it wasn’t covered in this guide, Hakodate Airport also offers flights to Okushiri Island, famous for its stunning Okushiri Blue waters. If you have extra time, consider adding it to your itinerary.

While the Hokkaido Shinkansen has made it possible to reach Hakodate by train, flights remain the primary mode of travel from the Tokyo metropolitan area. Be sure to enjoy your journey from Hakodate Airport!

Search

Customer Support

Manage Reservation(s)

Search

Customer Support

Manage Reservation(s)

Tourist spots near Hakodate Airport | Plenty of enjoyable places even for long-distance travelers!